Scripture:They also do no unrighteousness;They walk in His ways.You have ordained Your precepts,That we should keep them diligently. -Psalm 119: 3-4

Observation:-Those blessed people from yesterday's reading walk in His ways and do what is right.-What God has placed in His word He expects us to do...diligently.

Application:One dad explained diligence to his daughter like this: "It means do a great job and do it correctly." Other definitions I came across were: steadfast application, assiduousness-which was not helpful at all, careful and persistent work or effort.I like that last one. I like it because I am far from perfect in my Christian walk. I like it because it lets me know that this is something that is ongoing. You know, even Paul struggled to do what is right.

That Which I Would Not, That Do I Do-I was given that solo when our church choir performed this musical back in my high school days. (that is not me in the recording) It is a song that has come to mind many times since and is based upon Romans 7:14-25.

I do like the NIV for making these verses even clearer...They do no wrong but follow His ways. You (the LORD) have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. As I said yesterday, the Bible is for more than just gaining knowledge-God fully expects us to apply it, to take what we learn from Him and live it. The recognition that I am still not where I need to be in my walk with the LORD should drive me to work even harder. That is where the diligence comes in. How foolish it would be for me to think that because I am not perfect yet; that because I fell into sin yet again yesterday; that I should just give up now and not even try. How foolish it would be to not open up my Bible and take up reading again today. I could very easily have let my time in God's word slide this morning. Instead of sitting in my office at work I am at home with a stomach bug. Ah, but you see, I love this Book so much that it draws me into its pages even when I am not at my best. Actually, that is probably the very time I need it most, when I am not at my best. I cannot sit down and consider these "wonderful words of life" without a change taking place. Sometimes it brings conviction, sometimes it leads to rejoicing, sometimes it provides peace, sometimes direction. On rare occasions I have neglected it and all I can say about those times is that they have not been my happiest. I suffer when I stay away from my Bible.I will leave you this morning with a very special memory of mine. I had the honor of sitting at the bedside of my younger brother during his last days in hospice care. Cancer had ravaged his body and he slept most of the time; drifting in a morphine induced stupor. I would sit with him sometimes doing some needlework, sometimes having my quiet time: reading my Bible and praying. On his next to last morning, he stirred a bit and I asked him if he would like me to read my three chapters form Galatians out loud. He nodded yes. So I read the first three chapters to him. I thought I would look up to find him asleep once again, instead he was smiling and his eyes were open and bright in a way that I had not seen since arriving a few days before, and he said, "You, know I have been thinking about a lot of those same things-being crucified with Christ, it is not I who live but Christ who lives in me. I just thought you would like to know." And then he told me he was not afraid of death but that sometimes he was tired of fighting. And with that he was back to sleep. That was the last real conversation Jeff had with anyone. I was so struck at the time that it was the hearing of God's word that brought life and light to his eyes. There was so much peace in that moment, so much acceptance of God's plan. This Book is more than words on a page. It truly is living and active (Hebrews 4:12.) with a power that is hard to explain.

Grace, Peace, and Mercy,Deb

Jeff Wigfield 1962-1998...when we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be!